steinwat



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

PIANO PEDAL. A

Patented Mar.31, 1885.

O. F. T. STEINWAY.

(No Model.)

INVENTOR [1 u ATTORNEYS q l l l l l Y L (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. O.F. T. STEINWAY.

PIANO PEDAL.

Patented Mar. 31, 1885.

MM, 4mg xxaim WITNESSES INVENTOR yfg - ATO Y levers.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

O. F. THEODOR STElNlVAY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PlANO-PEDAL' SPECIFICATION forming part Letters Patent l lo. 814,!4-1,dated March 31, 1885.

(X0 model) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, O. F. Tnnono'a STEIN- WAY, of the city, county, andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inPedals for Piano-Fortes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference to an improved pedal for piano-fortes ofall kinds, whereby the creaking noise produced at the pivots of thepedals and at the connection of the pedals with the pedal-rods andpedal-levers, and at all points of the pedals where friction of theparts takesplace, is entirely prevented; and the invention consists of aperil-al-supporting plate having rear brackets and clamp-screws forsupporting the fiXedpivot-rod of the pedals. The pedals are recessed atthe under side and fulcrumed to the fixed pivot-rod by means ofdetachable cheeks and anti-friction bushings. Anti-friction washers areinterposed between the pedals and the supporting-brackets on thepivotrod. The rear end of the pedals is formed in the shape of a sockethaving an elastic lining for the pedatrods. The pedal-levers areprovided at the point where the returning-spring bears on them with aslitted portion that is lined with felt, whereby a creaking noise atthat point is prevented.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a bottom view of asquare or other piano, showing the lyre and connecting pedal- Fig. 2 isa vertical longitudinal section on line m at, Fig. 1. Fig. is a detailhorizontal section of the pedals on line y, Fig. 2; and Figs. 4. and 5are respectively a side view of one of the pedals and a'verticallongitudinal section of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the lyre, or that part of thepiano to the base of which the pedals B are applied. The pedals B arefulcrunied to a fixed transverse pivotshaft, a, of a vertical castmetalsupportingplate, (J, which is recessed for the pedals, and provided atits rear side with recessed brackets b b, that form the support for thefixed pivot-shaft a. The pivot-shaft a is retained rigidly in positionon the brackets b b by setscrews b,whicl1 clamp the pivot-shaft aagainst the recesses of the brackets I) b, as shown clearly in Fig. 4.The pedals B areprovided at their under side with a recess for adetachable plate or check, B,which, like the shank of the pedals, isprovided with a semicircular recess that fits around the pivot-shaft a.

To prevent the friction between the pivotshaft a and the pedal and itsretaining-cheek material, is wrapped around the pivot-shaft a, andextended forward between the underside of the pedal B and the cheek B,as shown clearlyin Fig. 5.

Intermediately between the brackets b and the fulcrumed pedals B areplaced on the pivot-shaft a intermediate leather washers, d, whichprevent any friction between the sides of the pedals and thesupporting-brackets. The check B is secured to the shank of the pedal Bby a clamp-screw, f. 011 detaching the clamp-screws and checks B thebushing 6 may be replaced from time to time, in case it should be wornout. In this manner any creaking or other noise at the fulcrum of thepedals at the point, where it most frequently occurs, is entirely doneaway with, and thereby a frequent source of annoyance obviated.

The pedalsupporting plate E is either supported at the base of the lyre,as in the case of grand or square pianos, orin upright pianos it is letinto the case at the base of the same. As the plate 0 is screwed eitherto the lyre or to the case, as the case may be, it can be easilydetached therefrom, so that any worn -out parts can be replaced. Therear ends of the pedals B are made in the shape of sockets g, which arelined at the bottom and side with suitable elastic material, said liningg forming an interior elastic socket for the connecting pedalrods B Thelower ends of the pedalrods B B rest thereby not only upon elasticanti-friction material, but are surrounded by the same, so that themotion of the rods in the sockets is perfectlynoiseless. The pedal-rodsB are guided in a suitable manner by the lyre and press at their upperends on the pedallevers D, which operate by connecting-rods the dampersin the usual manner. The pivoted pedal -levers D are returned, togetherwith the pedal-rods B and pedals B, into normal position by strongband-springs D. The band-springs cause, frequently, by the pressure andfriction with the pedallevers D, an

annoying creaking noise. To prevent this the B, a bushing, c, of flannelor other suitable pedal-levers D are obliquely slitted, the slitbeingprovided with an interposed bushing, 71, ofsuitable noise-deafeningmaterial, as shown in Fig. 2. The ends of the band-springs D pressthereby upon a cushioned surface of wood, which gives sufliciently toprevent any creaking noise.

In place of the slitting of the pedal-levers the surface of the same maybe covered with a layer of veneer that is cushioned by a layer ofsuitable noise-deafening material.

An anti-friction pedal constructed as d-escribed has no parts that canproduce noise by friction, and forms thereby a desirable accessory tothe different kinds of pianos. It has the further advantage that thepedals can be quickly removed bodily by unscrewing the supporting-platewithout lifting or otherwise interfering with the piano.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. The combination of a pedal-supporting plate havinga fixed pivot-shaft with pedals fulcrumed thereto by bushings anddetachable bottom plates or checks, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a pedal-sup1' orting plate having rear bracketsand clamp-screws, a fixed transverse pivotshaft, pedals fnlcrumedthereto by detachable bottom cheeks, and intermediate anti frictionbushings, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the pedal-supporting plate 0, having recesses forthe pedals, recessed rear brackets, b I), provided with clampscrews, atransverse pivot-shaft, a, secured rigidly by said elamp-serews, andfulcrumed pedals B, having detachable bottom plates, B, secured byscrews f, the pivot-recesses of the pedals and bottom plates being linedwith a suitable anti-friction material, substantially as set forth.

at. The combination of the recessed pedalsupporting plate 0, having rearbrackets, b I),

pivot-shaft secured to said brackets by clampscrews b, pedals B, havingdetachable bottom cheeks, B, said pedals being connected to thepivot-shaft by means of anti-friction bushings and intermediateanti-friction washers placed intermcdiately between the pedals and thebrackets, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. In pedals for piano-fortcs, the combination of the pedal-leversprovided with cushioned strips of wood with returning bandsprings whichrest upon said cushioned strips, substantially as specified.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

O. F. THEODOB STEINXVAY.

Witnesses:

LOUIS O. RAEGENER, SIDNEY DIANN.

